Sermon and Worship Resources

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Showing 1726 to 1750 of 2844 results

1726. The Art Of Transition

Luke 9:51-62

Sermon

Dean Feldmeyer

Another said, “I will follow you, Lord; but let me first say farewell to those at my home.” Jesus said to him, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.” (Luke 9:61-62) Someone once said that people do not voluntarily change until their level of discomfort is greater than their level of fear. I have a good friend, a fellow baby-boomer, who was required by the company he worked for to move to a different part of the state. The move meant a promotion and a sizable ...

1727. For Someone Who Heroically Suffered, Yet Spread Good Cheer

John 19:25-27 · 2 Corinthians 6:1-10

Eulogy

Richard E. Zajac

The Window [Tell of how, in bearing the heavy cross of their particular illness or debilitation, their focus was on us and not themselves, how they somehow managed to remain positive and endearing.] A most moving story was penned by G.W. Target, entitled The Window. Its setting was a hospital room which had two beds at opposite ends of each other and one window. The window was placed in such a way that only one patient in one of the beds could look and see out the window. Two patients in that particular ...

1728. A Lamp Shining In a Dark Place

2 Peter 1:17-21

Sermon

Will Willimon

“You will do well to be attentive to this as to a lamp shining in a dark place .... no prophecy of scripture is a matter of one's own interpretation but men and women moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.” You had a hint of what was coming next. In the procession, George brought in the Bible and laid it upon the desk. That's on the table for today's business, that's our main agenda, this book. Now, having heard the word read, you are to hear the word preached. Not my word, the word. You're uninterested ...

1729. The Future and What to Do About It

Luke 16:1-13

Sermon

Will Willimon

Today we inaugurate the Joseph Harrison Jackson Preacher Fund, established by Professor Kenny Williams in memory of her distinguished father. Dr. Jackson led one of this country's great churches. He preached for a lifetime. I expect he preached on today's gospel. I wonder what he said about it. For my money, this has to be the toughest of tough biblical texts. An employee goes to the boss and snitches. “Boss, your manager has been cheating you.” The boss calls the dishonest manager on the carpet, tells him ...

1730. Holy Wisdom From On High!

Proverbs 8:1-36

Sermon

Barbara Brokhoff

A few years ago I was asked to preach at a large event in Atlanta. I inquired as to the theme of the occasion, and the pastor who invited me said, "I want you to preach as if it were your last sermon. If you had only one more opportunity to proclaim the Word, what message would it be? Preach that!" What a quandary! What should I preach? I first thought to preach about the omnipotence and love of God the Father. Then I reconsidered, "But I must preach about Jesus, his death and resurrection and the ...

1731. Walking On Our Hands

John 8:31-41

Sermon

J. Will Ormond

For weeks now the Gospel lectionary readings have come from the Gospel of Luke. But today we encounter an intruder. Our journey through the last chapter of Luke's story is interrupted by another Gospel writer, John, who drops us into the middle of a debate between Jesus and "the Jews." It is well known that the Gospel of John differs in many ways from the other three Gospels. Robert Kysar's book on the Gospel of John is called John: the Maverick Gospel. This is how his introduction begins: There is a ...

1732. Topsy-turvy Christianity

Luke 6:17-26, Luke 6:27-36

Sermon

J. Will Ormond

Do you know anyone who is financially well off and secure, who has an abundance of things and often dines in the best restaurants, who enjoys life and has a good time, and who is well thought of in the community? You may be such a person yourself, but if not, wouldn't you like to be? In such a situation we could declare that life is good, that we are content, and that the future looks bright. Do you know anyone who is poor, hungry, grieving, hated, excluded, reviled, and defamed? I sincerely hope you are ...

1733. One Bride For Seven Brothers

Luke 20:27-40

Sermon

J. Will Ormond

You are middle-aged or older if you remember when the movie Seven Brides for Seven Brothers was first released. It was an exuberant, fast-paced musical about seven brothers on the frontier of the United States who were all looking for brides. Such "commodities" were rare in their part of the world. But, of course, in the end each brother got his bride. The story in our lectionary passage for today is about one bride for seven brothers, but the end of the story is not as happy and upbeat as was the movie. ...

1734. Talk Show I

Luke 10:38-42

Drama

Robert F. Crowley

Theme: Which is more important, religious duty or religious zeal, the doer or the worshiper? Summary: A talk show with Martha and Mary going at it about which is right, religious duty or religious zeal. This sketch leads right into the Sermon. Playing Time: 3 minutes Setting: A TV studio Props: Microphone Costumes: Dress appropriate for church Time:The present Cast: Phil Dennehy -- host Mary Martha -- her sister Lazarus -- their brother Dr. Fitznour -- an expert (THERE IS A PANEL OF FOUR PEOPLE SEATED ON ...

1735. Mr. Roberts Meets The Master

Drama

Robert F. Crowley

Theme\n Do whatever it takes to get close to Jesus. \nSummary\n Mr. Roberts' TV show features today the story of Zacchaeus. \nMr. McDoley brings the puppet that becomes Zacchaeus and Mr. \nRoberts acts it out. \nPlaying Time 4 minutes\nSetting Mr. Roberts' TV show\nProps Mr. Roberts -- small ladder, money bag, handpuppet, \n fishbowl, picture \nCostumes Mr. Roberts -- casual costume: sweater, tennis \n shoes \nTime The present \nCast MR. ROBERTS \n MR. McDOLEY\n ZACCHAEUS -- puppet\n(MUSIC UP AS MR. ...

1736. The Agony And The Ecstasy Of The Family

Mark 3:20-35

Sermon

Ron Lavin

Jesus experienced conflict in his family. In today's text we hear that his family was so upset by what they saw he was doing and heard he was saying, that they decided to "take charge of him" because they thought "he was out of his mind" (Mark 3:21). Later in our story we hear that Jesus' family arrived while he was debating with the religious leaders about Satan, the prince of demons. Someone told him that his mother and brothers were there. Jesus responded, "My true family members are those who do the ...

1737. Children, Just Forever

Mark 9:42-50

Sermon

George W. Hoyer

You are now, each one of you, and you have always been since you were baptized, one of these "little ones" who believe. Since the name of Christ was laid on you, and you were marked with his cross, he has claimed you as one of his "little ones" of which the text speaks, "these little ones who believe in me." At the time Jesus said these words there were only "little ones" for Jesus had not been around long enough to have big ones, people who had been believers in him for a lifetime, or for half a lifetime ...

1738. All Stirred Up

Luke 10:38-42

Sermon

Richard Patt

All stirred up -- that's the way you sometimes feel. Agitated, nervous, worked up, wound up -- for whatever reason. One feature in the story before us is that Jesus appeared to be responsible for bringing one of his dearest friends to such a point of agitation. If you read the Bible carefully, you shouldn't be completely surprised about this. Jesus often left people stirred up. The religious leaders were frequently angered by his words and actions. His miracles left onlookers stirred to the point of awe ...

1739. Sabotaging The Sabath

Luke 13:10-17

Sermon

Richard Patt

We wish the story here would have ended another way. Yes, it was the sabbath (always meant to be a beautiful day for God's people!). And even on the sabbath people become sick or continue to be sick. Jesus notices a woman, all hunched over, obviously one who had been ill for a long time. He is a merciful Lord, so he takes the initiative to call her over and lay his hands on her. In these gracious acts, the woman is healed on the spot. Her body is straightened again, and she praises God for God's goodness. ...

1740. Anything But Trivial

Nehemiah 7:73b--8:18

Sermon

Tony Everett

Have you noticed how the Super Bowl becomes the major focus of attention in America during this time of year? The media is full of elaborate analysis of each football team as the championship game approaches. "Up close and personal" anecdotes of players, owners, and fans become major topics of conversation. Hundreds of millions of advertising dollars are invested in one game. Millions of people around the world gather around television sets to watch the game. Inevitably, the Super Bowl is one of the top ...

1741. Acting Bulletproof

Luke 13:1-9

Illustration

John R. Steward

Most people think of AIDS as being transmitted sexually or through intravenous drug use. There are few actual cases of anyone contracting the virus in other ways. However, there is the case of two brothers. One of the brothers had advanced symptoms of AIDS. The other brother was not infected at all with the deadly disease. Then one day the two brothers got into a very violent fight. The infected brother continuously smashed his head against his brother's head. Both men bled a great deal into each other's ...

1742. Blessed Betrayal

1 Corinthians 11:17-34

Sermon

Don M. Aycock

Have you ever noticed how some things in life sometimes just don't seem to go together? I've always marveled at an expensive Cadillac with a squirrel tail tied to the antenna. It looks absurd. I heard recently of a fellow who saw this bumper sticker: "A WOMAN WITHOUT A MAN IS LIKE A FISH WITHOUT A BICYCLE." Well, you understand what I mean. Paul brings together some words like that, words that do not seem to fit. Listen to them again: The Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread .... What a ...

1743. Bowing Before The Mystery

John 1:1-18

Sermon

Charles H. Bayer

Not everything important can be understood. There are some things we understand now we didn't ten years ago. Because we travel in space we know more about what is out there. Because we have picked the atom apart we know more about what is down here. Having beaten back the borders of both inner and outer space we often assume that everything is understandable, nothing is ultimately mysterious, and those things which we used to call mysterious are simply what is left over when our present knowledge has run ...

1744. A Mother's Love -- A Godly Passion

Luke 13:31-35

Sermon

Glenn E. Ludwig

"What is God like?" There probably isn't anyone here who hasn't struggled with that question. Theologians file it under "the nature of God" controversy. We all seek to know and understand this God that we worship and pray to and sing praises of. And we all know, at least in an academic sense, that our minds are incapable of comprehending God. Biblical images give us clues, however, about the nature of God. The image for today from our gospel text may unnerve some, and be a source of delight for others. But ...

1745. On The Road To The Cross

Luke 20:9-19

Sermon

Glenn E. Ludwig

Some people never grasp a new thing; they simply don't know what to do when confronted with a new idea, concept or invention they have never been exposed to before. This may have been one of Jesus' main problems with the people of his day. A number of years ago, as the story goes, oil was discovered on some Oklahoma property that belonged to an old Native American. All of his life, the man had been poor, but the discovery of oil made him a very wealthy man. And one of the first things he did was buy ...

1746. Take Up Your Ministry

Mark 9:38-41

Sermon

Steven E. Albertin

Several years ago at my previous congregation I remember a discussion I had with the church council. It was very revealing of the kind of distorted vision of ministry that is very much afoot in the church these days. I had a sudden change in my vacation plans and was going to have to be out of town for a Sunday that I had not planned on. I was having great difficulty finding another pastor to fill the pulpit. It was the summer. Many pastors are already on vacation and those who are available for pulpit ...

1747. When The Fat Lady Sings

Mark 13:1-31

Sermon

Steven E. Albertin

That great twentieth century prophet of Yankee Stadium, Yogi Berra, said it well when describing the uncertainty of any athletic contest: "It ain't over 'til it's over." Until that last fly ball is caught or strike is called or ground ball is thrown to first base and the last out is made, the game is not over. Anything can happen. And more often than not it has. Everyone has a story about dramatic comebacks in the bottom half of the ninth inning. I suppose that is why Red Auerbach, the former great coach ...

1748. Miracle Three: Healing A Leper

Mark 1:40-45

Sermon Aid

Harold H. Lentz

BACKGROUND MATERIAL There is considerable variety to the miracles performed by Christ. One was performed in a synagogue (curing the demoniac), another in a home (healing Peter's mother-in-law), and this one he performed on a public thoroughfare. While Jesus and his disciples were walking, a man afflicted with the terrible disease of leprosy approached them. Fear of leprosy was so great that strict laws had been passed concerning the actions of one so afflicted. The law demanded that lepers should isolate ...

1749. Getting In Tune Again

Isaiah 40:1-31

Sermon

William L. Self

A radio station in Missouri had an interesting experience. They had a popular program that played the music that most of us like -- music middle-America could understand. The program had a very loyal following. People would stay up into the night to listen. It became their friend, especially to those people who have difficulty sleeping. One day the disc jockey got an interesting letter. It said, "Dear Sir, I am a farmer living alone on my farm. My wife is dead and my children and grandchildren have moved ...

1750. Have I Got News For You!

Isaiah 9:1-7

Sermon

William L. Self

My favorite Christmas story is about the young boy who was given a very important role in the church Christmas play. He was to be the angel and announce the birth of Jesus. For weeks he rehearsed the line that had been given to him, "Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy." The grandparents got in on it and any time the family was together and the boy was there, they would dress him up in his costume and he would rehearse his part for them, "Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy." They were ...

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